Welcome to the Arena from ICR – Conversations with Today's Innovators & Business Leaders

For industry dominators, success rarely hinges on a 'one-size-fits-all' approach. Instead, they master their market by focusing on specific demographics and creating tailored strategies unique to needs and preferences. Today's guest has used this method to craft customized solutions in his unique market.Today, we're sitting down with Doug Sanders, Heritage Grocers Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Doug's extensive career in the grocery industry spans 38 years across multiple and wide-ranging sectors including supermarket retail, wholesale food distribution, retail technology solutions, natural and organic foods, in addition to Hispanic and ethnic-focused specialty formats.Over the past 20 years, Doug has held the role of chairman and CEO for multiple private equity-owned grocery companies, including Sprouts Farmers Market, Cardenas Markets, and Heritage Grocers Group. In 2011, he led the sale of Sprouts Farmers Market to Apollo Global Management, followed by two successful acquisitions and an initial public offering In 2013. In 2022, Doug spearheaded the sale of Cardenas Markets from KKR to Apollo joining Cardenas Markets and Tony's Fresh Market under the parent company Heritage Grocers Group. Highlights:Heritage's history and background (2:58)Doug's journey in the industry and opportunity at Heritage (4:16)Doug expands on Heritage's demographic and unique consumer base (6:47)What makes Heritage a competitive industry player (7:18)How Heritage prioritizes and celebrates authenticity in it's culture (8:33)Doug discusses the environment and atmosphere at Heritage stores (9:45)How Doug creates a company culture at Heritage (11:14)Field competition (12:34)Doug's approach to maintaining culture amid expansion (13:48)Doug's outlook on technology and innovation in the industry (16:06)Customer stories that left an impact on Doug and his work (18:03)Heritage's unique brand foundation collaborations (19:31)What excites Doug the most about the future of Heritage (20:33)Doug's predictions for Heritage's future growth and expansion (22:17)Links:Doug Sanders on LinkedInHeritage Grocers Group on LinkedInHeritage Grocers Group WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

In the world of wealth management, working with clients is a deeply personal endeavor that requires more than just financial expertise. By looking inward first, and prioritizing a strong team culture and personal and professional development, companies can cultivate a strong trust and connection with clients. Today's guest has made this approach the foundation to his business.Today we're sitting down with Rob Skinner, who is a founding partner and the co-CEO of IEQ Capital. He has served as a financial advisor to wealthy families and institutional investors for over two decades. Rob began his career at Fidelity Investments in 1995 before joining Merrill Lynch as first vice president of investments.In 2008, he co-founded Luminous Capital, an independent registered investment advisory firm where he served as Chief Investment Officer, Co-Head of Investment Research, and Co-manager of Portfolio Construction. Luminous Capital was acquired by First Republic Bank in 2012. Active in the community, Rob serves on the Board of Directors for the First Tee of Monterey County, the Board of Directors of the Pebble Beach Company Foundation. He's a Trustee of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation associated with PGA of America, as well as the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation. Rob and his wife actively support numerous foundations and charities in and around the Monterey peninsula. Rob holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Connecticut, which, if you haven't heard has won national championship titles, back to back in men's basketball. Go Huskies!Highlights:Rob's early influences and beginnings in wealth management (4:15)Founding Luminous Capital (5:52)Background on IEQ Capital, and company mission (6:37)What differentiates IEQ from competitors (7:13)IEQ's ideal client profile (8:34)How the IEQ team works with clients on wealth management (9:30)Rob walks us through IEQ's client screening process (10:18)The value of culture at IEQ (11:10)The use of technology at IEQ (12:00)How being a founder has informed Rob's work with his clients (13:30)How Rob approaches liquidity planning with clients (14:41)Rob breaks down IEQ's partnership with Stone Point Capital (15:33)The benefits for smaller firms (18:37)What Rob has learned from entrepreneurs during his time in wealth management (19:19)The importance of fostering a fun and enjoyable environment and culture (20:43)Links:Rob Skinner on LinkedInIEQ Capital on LinkedInIEQ Capital WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Venture Capital is all about the cash — but in a crowded field, money is a commodity. To truly stand out, you have to go above and beyond for your portfolio companies. Today's guest has set themselves apart by providing exceptional support.We're sitting down with Seth Spergel, who is a managing partner of Merlin Ventures, where he's responsible for identifying cutting-edge companies for Merlin to partner with and invest in. Seth has more than 20 years of experience building, selling, and investing in software and startups.Prior to Merlin Ventures, Seth was VP for Infrastructure Technologies at In-Q-Tel, a strategic investment firm that invests in startups that meet the mission needs of government customers. There he led a team of technology experts to evaluate companies and identify novel uses of their technology within the In-Q-Tel customer set.Before In-Q-Tel, Seth was the VP of engineering for ThinkGeek, an online seller and manufacturer of geeky toys and clothing. He also spent 12 years at IBM in roles ranging from software developer to sales manager. Highlights:Merlin's background and evolution into VC (3:44)What differentiates Merlin in the VC market (7:32)What an ideal portfolio looks like for Merlin (8:38)Seth walks us through the support system Merlin provides their companies (9:21)The unique guidance Merlin offers on compliance and political relations (12:57)Seth tells the story of one of Merlin's successful exits (14:52)Seth's advice for founders seeking funding (17:59)Current trending market opportunities (18:50)How cloud computing and migration are affecting the cybersecurity space (20:35)Seth describes the current state of Israel's funding environment (22:00)Values and culture at Merlin (25:35)Seth's predictions for the future of Merlin and the VC market (26:55)Links:Seth Spergel on LinkedInMerlin Ventures on LinkedInMerlin Ventures WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

In the effort to recover from the impact of the pandemic, the hospitality industry has had a surge of innovation, ideas, and new technologies. And while the boost has been essential to getting the industry back on its feet, it has also intensified the competition. Today's guest is setting their company apart with a consumer-focused approach.We're sitting down with Matt Tucker, who is the head of Tock, a technology driven hospitality business owned by Squarespace, and trading under the symbol SQSP.  Matt oversees commercial success and growth of the Tock business, which includes a reservation system, table management, carry-out operations and events for operators across 33 countries. Matt came to Squarespace after nearly two decades of experience building teams and operating companies of all sizes and has a strong background in hospitality tech and the startup world.Most recently, Matt served as President and COO of Olo, the leading provider of SaaS solutions to the chain restaurant industry, serving almost 90,000 locations. He spent nearly nine years there, taking the company from 10 people and one product to a public company with over 700 team members, six core products and nearly 200 million in revenue.Prior to Olo, Matt was on the founding team of LendingTree and was also the founder of Rely Software. He has an MBA from Georgetown and a BA in Political Science from the University of Michigan.Highlights:Matt's background and path to restaurant software (4:09)Matt describes Tock's founding and current work (5:11)How Tock works in the restaurant to optimize reservations (7:01)Matt explains how Tock targets customers, and ROI agreements (8:35)Data captured through Tock, and what makes Tock's approach to data optimization unique (10:34)Matt talks about recent economic hurdles and how Tock has navigated the atmosphere (14:04)Matt discusses Tock's versatility in the restaurant industry (16:11)How Squarespace and Tock's work interconnect (17:49)Field competition and the state of the restaurant technology market (20:00)Tock's senior team and their history in hospitality (22:57)Links:Mathew Tucker on LinkedInTock on LinkedInTock WebsiteICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

In a landscape where standing out demands both innovation and accessibility, finding ways to connect with a broad audience is crucial. Today's guest has been on a career-long quest to revolutionize the culinary world by blending tradition with modernity, creating products that not only appeal to diverse audiences but also prioritize health and taste.Today we are lucky enough to sit down with Chef Ming Tsai, who is not only an Iron Chef, he's also a James Beard and Emmy Award winner, and a Chef-partner at BABA at the Yellowstone Club in Big Sky, Montana. He's also President of the National Advisory Board for Family Reach and the author of five cookbooks.Chef Ming was the host and the Executive Producer of the longest-running cooking series on PBS, Simply Ming, and just received acclaim for his new mini-series titled Simply Ming: Better for You. He founded MingsBings, a consumer packaged goods startup bringing chef quality, better-for-you, convenient food to the frozen food aisle.Beyond being the first East meets West option of its kind, MingsBings supports the mission of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and Family Reach. To date, Chef Ming has helped raise $12 million for Family Reach. In 2022, Chef Ming became Iron Chef Ming Tsai as he joined the cast of five world-class chefs in the Netflix series, Iron Chef: Quest for an Iron Legend. Highlights:Chef Ming's first cooking experiences, and introduction to the culinary world (4:21)Chef Ming's favorite dishes from childhood (7:19)What Chef Ming learned from his family's restaurant (7:46)How Chef Ming adjusted from Chef to businessperson (8:44)Early mistakes and lessons from running a restaurant (10:54)Chef Ming explains his East meets West cuisine style and influence (11:45) Work in the TV and entertainment industry (14:35)Chef Ming discusses his time on Iron Chef (16:50) Chef Ming's approach to writing cookbooks (18:07)The inspiration behind MingsBings (19:17)Philanthropic work for Family Reach (21:54)Chef Ming tells stories about his famous friends in the culinary world (25:21)Links:Ming Tsai on LinkedInMingBings on LinkedInMingBings WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

In the current macro environment with growing inflation and financial uncertainty, it's no wonder companies are actively seeking alternative solutions to safeguard their businesses. But today's guest is more than just an alternative; he's a game-changer for his clients, helping them maximize their financial outcomes.Today we're sitting down with Raj Imteaz, who serves as the Head of ICR Capital's Convertible and Equity Derivatives Advisory Team, where he focuses on complex capital markets transactions across all industry verticals. Raj advises boards and management teams on structuring and executing convertible debt transactions, convertible preferred and mandatory offerings, structured share repurchases, cap calls and call spreads, hedging and monetization strategies, and warrant management solutions.Raj joined ICR Capital from Matthew South, where he was the Head of Technology origination, advising clients on multiple convertible and equity derivatives transactions. Previously, Raj spent 15 years at Barclays, where he was a Managing Director in the equity-linked and hybrid solutions team and led the origination efforts across several sectors.During his career, Raj has advised on and executed more than 200 convertible and equity derivative transactions, totaling over a hundred billion dollars of deal value. Highlights:Raj gives us an overview of the current economic environment (4:03)What a convertible is and the role of advisors (6:01)How advisors can save businesses time and money (8:45)What makes Raj's team of advisors unique (10:18)Raj describes some of his team's stand-out deals (13:41) Links:Syed Raj Imteaz LinkedInICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

This week we’re looking back at one of our most popular episodes of the last 6 months: our conversation with Charles Baker.Every investment comes with plenty of responsibility, but in a multifaceted market like sports and entertainment with varied revenue streams and worldwide integration, navigating this complex landscape can be overwhelming. Today's guest is helping his clients make sure that all the bases are covered. Literally. We're sitting down with Charles (Chuck) Baker, who chairs Sidley Austin's Entertainment, Sports, and Media Group. Chuck represents investors in professional sports, businesses and teams, and advises on sports and entertainment transactions. He has decades of experience in the sports industry and has represented sports franchise purchases across multiple leagues, including the NFL, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, the NBA, the NHL, the National Women's Soccer League, and multiple European football leagues.Recently, Chuck represented Genius Sports in its multi-year strategic partnership with the NFL and the Canadian Football League, and also advised on the acquisition minority interest in the Los Angeles Lakers, the Charlotte Hornets, as well as the 6+ billion dollar purchase of the Washington Commanders.Chuck has been highly recognized in the field of sports and entertainment law by multiple national publications. Most recently, the National Law Journal named him to its 2022 list of sports gaming entertainment law trailblazers. The Sports Business Journal also named him to their 2021 Power Players list, and Law 360 added him to their 2020 Sports Betting MVPs.Chuck is an active board member for the March of Dimes and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He is also an adjunct professor and advisory board member at the University of Miami School of Law, and a distinguished lecturer at NYU's Tisch Institute for Sports Management, Media and Business.Chuck was also an associate for former Senator, Dollar Bill Bradley, one of Tom's all time favorite Knicks! Highlights:Chuck's work background and how he came across his opportunity at Sidley Austin (4:34)Secular trends currently driving the sports and entertainment investment market (7:56)Chuck describes the investor audience specific to sports and entertainment (9:54)Current sports markets with high deal flow (12:58)Chuck tells the story of the Chelsea FC deal and his role in the transaction (15:14)The current trend and future of sports investments going international (17:53)Chuck describes Sidley Austin's recent partnership with Arctos (20:10) Market competition, industry saturation, and the market's outlook (23:11)How streaming and entertainment consumption affect media rights (25:17)Women's sports and growing investment markets (27:17)How market developments and investments affect fan experience (28:54)Chuck's most recent wins with his own sports teams (29:45)Links:Charles BakerCharles Baker on LinkedInSidley Austin on LinkedInSidley Austin WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Lithium-ion batteries are playing a big part in clean energy development, but making the battery itself clean and efficient will be crucial for the future of this technology. Today's guest is right at the center of making that happen. We're sitting down with Ajay Kochhar, who is President, CEO, and Co-Founder of Li-Cycle, a leading global lithium-ion battery resource recovery company that trades under the symbol LICY. Before founding Li-Cycle in 2016, Ajay gained extensive technology and project development experience through progressive roles with Hatch's industrial clean tech and advisory practices. While working in that space, he garnered in-depth engineering and project management experience through clean technology development in the lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, gold, lead, zinc, molybdenum, and rare earth metals industries. His technical expertise spans the entire project life cycle from conceptual and pre-feasibility studies to construction and commissioning.Highlights:Ajay describes the use and benefits of lithium-ion batteries (3:50)What makes lithium-ion battery recycling unique (4:19)Ajay's career history and how he spotted a gap in the market (6:42)Ajay describes Li-Cycle's IP portfolio (8:31)What it means for companies to be 'environmentally friendly' (9:46)The benefits of domestic production and infrastructure (11:36) Economics and dual-revenue business model at Li-Cycle (12:49)Ajay discusses competition in the industry (15:50) Ajay's thoughts on the electric-vehicle adoption (18:05)Current and short-term priorities for Li-Cycle (20:00)Relationship with China in the lithium-ion industry (21:51)How the Inflation Reduction Act impacts businesses like Li-Cycle (23:00)Ajay's opinion on what investors miss when measuring company value (24:01)Links:Ajay Kochhar on LinkedInLi-Cycle on LinkedInLi-Cycle WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

To be a great consultant, a deep understanding of an industry is table stakes, but you also have to connect with the needs of the employees that work within it, while helping a business grow and change appropriately. It's not an easy formula to master, but today's guest has figured it out.Today we're sitting down with long-time FOICER - that stands for friend of ICR -  Fred LeFranc. Fred is the Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Results Thru Strategy, a consulting firm focused on the hospitality industry. Fred and his team help companies improve their strategic planning, organizational development, marketing, and performance management, as well as enhance their technology-based systems. They also help with executive coaching. Fred's four decades in the hospitality industry include stints as COO, CEO, Board Member, and President of a number of hospitality and technology brands, including Flat Rock Grill, Ruby's Diner, Fishbowl Marketing, and Louise's Trattoria. Inc. Magazine actually featured his corporate turnaround from Louise's which included design, concept development, food production,  IT systems, and operational executions as a great milestone in his career.Highlights:Fred's introduction to the hospitality industry (4:09)How Fred transitioned from hospitality to consulting (5:07)Fred's outlook on the current state of the hospitality industry (7:16)Common challenges for businesses in the hospitality landscape (8:30)Fred describes what it takes to be a great CEO in hospitality (9:48)Areas where companies are under-investing in their business (11:32) Fred describes his approach to technology integration in hospitality (13:20)How technology can amplify branding and business (15:26) Businesses that are excelling in their take-out and delivery services (16:40)The importance of understanding service channels (17:53)Most common mistakes made by early-stage companies (18:50)Biggest mistakes made by mature companies (20:03)Fred talks about his time as CEO of Engelman's Bakery (22:02)How Fred advises businesses amidst labor and inflation challenges (24:32)What Fred is seeing in M & A in the industry (26:13)Fred's projected future trends in hospitality (26:57)Most gratifying client engagements in Fred's portfolio (28:05)Links:Fred LeFranc on LinkedInResults Thru Strategy on LinkedInResults Thru Strategy WebsiteICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Outsourcing our sustainability efforts does help us get one step closer to an eco-friendly future, but to make a true impact we have to develop our own resources and processes. Our guest today is helping to drive the green revolution right here at home.Joining us on this episode is Dr. Denis Phares. After establishing himself as a tenured professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Southern California, Dr. Phares left academia to found Dragonfly Energy in 2012. The stock trades under the symbol DFLI.His focus is on developing technologies that will change the way we store and harness renewable energy. With three decades of extensive experience in the fields of energy, nanotechnology, fluid mechanics, and powder processing, Dr. Phares has positioned himself as a leading expert in green energy storage and has spent the last 15 years focused on advancing lithium-ion battery technology.He holds a number of patents, some of which are key in fundamental battery cell manufacturing. Denis received a BS in physics from Villanova University, an MS and a PhD in environmental engineering science from the California Institute of Technology, and for good measure, he also has an MBA from the University of Nevada at Reno.Highlights:Denis' transition from professor to entrepreneur(3:56)Behind Dragonfly Energy's unique energy storage focus (5:01)The birth of Battle Born Batteries (5:47)Current outlook on the RV market's stability (8:23)Dragonfly Energy's partnership with RV giant Forest River (9:16)Dragonfly Energy's current target market and growth strategy (10:05) Research & development and the importance of IP (11:42)Denis breaks down battery technology and how they work (12:55)Findings from Dragonfly Energy's recent energy assessment (15:58)The scalability of lithium-ion battery technology (17:18)Product expansion and innovation at Dragonfly Energy (18:34)Why Dragonfly Energy's HQ is in Nevada (21:02)Denis discusses lithium mining in the US (22:01)Current verticals Dragonfly Energy is exploring (23:18)Denis provides an overview of the current state of producing solid-state batteries (25:25)Denis explains the value of becoming a public company (27:10)Links:Denis Phares on LinkedInDragonfly Energy on LinkedInDragonfly Energy WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

There's a reason it's called healthcare – care and carefulness are at the core, and if you want to be successful in the field, you've got to understand the significance of compliance, exceptional service, and continuous expansion. Today's guest has mastered that formula. We're sitting down with Thomas Sandgaard who is Chairman, President, and CEO of Zynex, which trades on the NASDAQ under the symbol ZYXI. Thomas founded the company in 1996, but before that, he held management positions with companies such as ITT, Siemens, GN Danavox DataCo, and Phillips. Thomas is also the Founder and CEO of Sandgaard Capital, a private equity investment firm and family office. Additionally, he's the Founder and President of the Sandgaard Foundation, which seeks to address the tragic opioid and fentanyl crisis here in the States by helping to fund initiatives that save lives from overdoses, help people escape the cycle of relapse, and support victims and their families. Thomas has a degree in electronic engineering from Denmark's Syddansk University, Engineering, and an MBA from Copenhagen Business School. Highlights:Zynex's background and business model (3:57)How Thomas got into the medical device industry (5:39)The pain management market (7:04)Zynex's target audiences (8:17)Competition in the field (9:14)Zynex's line of products (10:37) Thomas explains Zynex's total addressable market (11:21)Patient monitoring part of the business (12:56)How Zynex builds and maintains their sales force (14:45)Thomas' philosophy on customer service (17:22)How Zynex is diversifying its product range (18:10)Thomas describes how he prioritizes investments and balances growth and profitability (19:16)Zynex's first quarter growth reports (20:38)Zynex's new M-Wave NMES device (21:48)Thomas' take on the barriers to entry in the medical device industry (23:13)Thomas' work as a musician (24:38)The Sandgaard Capital Foundation and its mission (25:55)Links:Thomas Sandgaard on LinkedInZynex Medical on LinkedInZynex Medical WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Innovation is about creation, but it's also about finding new spaces where those creations can be used. Today's guest has applied a centuries-old scientific process to solve the problems of a global industry. Today's guest is Dr. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech. Under Jennifer’s guidance, LanzaTech is developing a variety of platform chemicals and fuels, including the world’s first alternative jet fuel derived from industrial waste gases. She is also the Director and Chair of the LanzaJet Board of Directors. Prior to LanzaTech, Jennifer was VP and General Manager of the Renewable Energy and Chemicals business unit at UOP LLC, a Honeywell Company. While there, she was a key driver of their leadership in low carbon aviation biofuels. Jennifer has authored or co-authored 50 U.S. patents and more than 30 scientific publications and is a member of the National Academy of Engineering. Jennifer sits on multiple boards and advisory councils, including the Governing Council for the Bio Energy Research Institute in India, the Board of Directors of the U.S.- India Strategic Partnership Forum, the Advisory Council for the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at Princeton University, the National Academies' Board on Energy and Environmental Systems and the Founder Advisory for The Engine, a venture capital fund built by MIT that invests in early-stage science and engineering companies. Jennifer holds a B.Sc. from Harvey Mudd College, a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and an MBA from the University of Chicago.Highlights:How LanzaTech's biorefinery systems work (4:23)LanzaTech's background, and how their investment process has grown over time (6:01)How Jennifer was introduced to LanzaTech, and her work history before joining the company (6:44)The science and technology behind LanzaTech, and its protection status (7:20)What products LanzaTech produces, and some of their product partners (9:20)Lanzatech's addressable market (11:16)How LanzaTech's technology differs from other direct air capture technologies (12:00)Jennifer describes who Lanzatech's customers are, and where their technology is currently being deployed (13:32)Jennifer breaks down how the company's business model works (14:52)LanzaTech's expansion plan (18:20)Jennifer explain's LanzaTech's LanzaJet project, and where the idea came from (19:19)LanzaTech's plan to grow their product offerings and develop new systems for different chemical compounds (22:55)How the company is managing the fluctuation economy and stock market as a public company (26:45)Additional resources for listeners (29:49)Links:Jennifer Holmgren on LinkedInLanzaTech on LinkedInLanzaTech WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

The sign of a strong apparel brand isn't always about covering every billboard. It's about longevity, steady growth, and speaking the customer's language. And today's two guests certainly know how to do that. On this episode, we're sitting down with Kevin McLaughlin, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of J. McLaughlin, and Mary Ellen Coyne, the company's CEO. Kevin started J.McLaughlin in 1977 with his brother, Jay. They envisioned a timeless lifestyle brand with a legacy of style and a spirit of connection. And they did just that, opening their first shop on 74th Street and Third Avenue in Manhattan. It immediately became the post-brunch destination for the Ivy league, JG Mellon crowd. Kevin's taste and design-sense has guided the J.McLaughlin collection since the first store opened, and he prides himself on creating effortless and enduring styles with a modern twist. Each style is thoughtfully designed with impeccable craftsmanship, original colors and prints and innovative fabrics.  Mary Ellen Coyne is the CEO of J. McLaughlin, and joined the brand in 2016. She oversees all aspects of strategy and operations, including merchandising, product development, marketing, retail expansion, and e-commerce. Under her leadership, the brand has launched new product verticals, including swim and footwear, enjoyed robust retail expansion, and recently launched a brand refresh. Prior to joining the company, Mary Ellen had two decades of leadership experience at Ralph Lauren, where she most recently served as the Chief Merchandising Officer of Polo Women and Children's Division. Her career kicked off in the Macy’s Training Program, and from there, she sharpened her industry expertise with key merchandising roles at Ann Taylor, The Gap, and Victoria’s Secret.J.McLaughlin now has over 170 beautiful stores on the most charming streets in America and true to the McLaughlin brothers' vision, each store is entirely unique.Highlights:Kevin tells how he and his brother Jay started the business in 1977, and who the core customer is (4:47)Mary Ellen talks about why she joined the company (7:30)The store locations, key markets and expansion strategy (9:08)The menswear category and as the early foundation of the brand, and how the company approaches their relationship with the customer (11:15)Kevin talks about the role that intuition plays in the company (15:53)J.McLaughlin's philanthropy and their "local and loyal" approach (17:58)Mary Ellen discusses the company's impressive financial performance (18:56)The company's marketing and the role that their catalogue plays in that mix (20:39)New categories for 2024 (23:05)Working with Trey Laird to update the company's branding and marketing (26:14)Kevin discusses the expansion and brand awareness he'd like to create (28:37)Who are J.McLaughlin's competitors? (30:37)Trends and retail projections for the coming season (31:46)Mary Ellen and Kevin's goals for the next 5 years (33:05)Links:Mary Ellen Coyne on LinkedInJ.McLaughlin on LinkedInJ.McLaughlin WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

In business, you have to want to win. But in addition to that, simple, honest values go an incredibly long way. Today's guest leads a company that is powered by that philosophy.On this episode we get to sit down with Tom Nolan, CEO of the jewelry and accessories brand, Kendra Scott. Tom leads the billion dollar business by balancing day-to-day functions and strategy with the integration of the brand's core pillars of family, fashion and philanthropy into every consumer touch-point. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors, Tom oversees the brand's substantial omnichannel growth, global expansion and evolving retail model. Tom has more than two decades of experience in brand building, management and results-driven strategic planning from a diverse range of companies, including Ralph Lauren, Conde Nast, and his own entrepreneurial endeavor, Prospect Brands. We had a great conversation about the company's humble beginnings and how far they've come.Highlights: • The origin story of the company (3:57) • Tom's background and career trajectory (5:02) • The appeal of the Kendra Scott story and her as a leader (9:32) • Tom outlines the company's brand values (11:43) • Why Tom made the decision to join the company/the importance of philanthropy (15:36) • The various tipping points in the company's growth (17:51) • The importance of their relationship with Berkshire (20:28) • Tom discusses Kendra Scott's creative approach to marketing (21:28) • The Kendra Scott Foundation (23:50) • The men's line (24:40) • Tom talks about his leadership philosophy and the closeness with his team members (26:35) • The company's vision for the next 5 to 10 years (28:07)Links:ICR TwitterICR LinkedInICR WebsiteTom Nolan on LinkedInKendra Scott WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

As the world embraces cryptocurrency, blockchain technology, and deregulated finance, there's a massive transformation on the horizon. But if you're going to invest in these innovations, you need to be incredibly diligent and have a deep understanding of the tech. Today's guest has both.We're sitting down with Pete Najarian, who is the Managing Partner of RW3 Ventures. RW3 is a digital asset venture firm built in partnership with The Raptor Group. The Raptor Group is a multi-sector venture firm with significant investments across fintech, sports and gaming, healthcare, and digital assets.Pete has significant dedicated digital asset experience, having previously served in senior leadership roles for two leading digital asset operating businesses: Zappo, which was ultimately acquired by Coinbase in 2019, and BitGo, the leader in digital asset security, custody, and liquidity. They provide the operational backbone for more than 1, 500 institutional clients and over 50 companies. They also process 20 percent of all the global Bitcoin transactions by value.Prior to that, Pete spent 20 years plus building and leading the global emerging markets businesses for some of the world's largest banks, UBS and RBS in particular.Highlights:Pete's experience in finance, discovering cryptocurrency, and founding RW3 (4:10)Pete's approach to investing at RW3 (7:24)Bitcoin, and Pete's outlook on when to invest in crypto (8:18)Analyzing Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies' place in the market (9:53)Pete breaks down the opportunities opened up by blockchain innovation (11:30)The use and value of cryptocurrency technology in the world economy (13:35) How Pete makes decisions on blockchain investments (16:03)How RW3 assists clients (18:47)Pete breaks down the relationship between traditional finance and cryptocurrency (21:06)Pete's predictions on the future of blockchain technology and finance field (24:11)Understanding decentralized finance (25:03)Government involvement in cryptocurrency (26:38)Some of Pete's current investments at RW3 (30:00)Qualifications for an investment at RW3 (33:10)Links:Pete Najarian on LinkedInRW3 Ventures on LinkedInRW3 Ventures WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

When it comes to climbing the ladder in any industry, being willing to try new things and seize opportunities is your fastest track to growth. Our guest today has built her impressive career and carved out her place in the industry by doing just that. Today we're sitting down with Morgan Brennan, who Co-anchors CNBC's Closing Bell Overtime, which broadcasts live from CNBC's global headquarters in Inglewood Cliffs, New Jersey. Previously, she was co-anchor of the 10 a.m. hour on CNBC's Squawk on the Street. and Co-anchor of CNBC's Squawk Alley.Morgan joined the network in December 2013, as a general assignment reporter and continues to cover a variety of sectors including manufacturing, defense, and space among others. She's also the host of the CNBC podcast, Manifest Space. Prior to joining CNBC, Morgan was a staff writer and reporter for Forbes Media where she reported for Forbes Magazine, Forbes Life magazine, and Forbes. com. She began her career at Forbes in 2009, holding several positions, including anchor reporter and producer for the Forbes video network, covering a wide variety of business and finance topics. Morgan has interviewed billionaires, and heads of state, thought leaders, and chief executives of multi-billion dollar corporations. Her profile story on Equity Group Investments' Chairman, Sam Zell was one of five magazine covers featured on the 2013 Forbes 400 issue. She's also a board member of the nonprofit, City Year New York. Morgan graduated summa cum laude from New York University, majoring in Social Science with a double concentration in Anthropology and Media Studies.Highlights:Morgan describes her journey from entertainment to journalism (4:09)Morgan's first on-air role (8:49)How the service industry prepared Morgan for her media roles (10:36)Morgan walks us through her trajectory at CNBC (12:08)How Morgan got comfortable with live broadcasting (13:20)The biggest challenges in TV and fast-paced media industries (14:32) Morgan's favorite part of her work (16:52)Morgan talks about her podcast 'Manifest Space' (17:47)Morgan's all-time favorite interview (20:00)How Morgan learned to conduct interviews and her personal approach to them (20:53)How CEOs and business owners should approach media and interviews (21:55)Morgan explains how she balances and manages her work schedule with home life (26:58)Links:Morgan Brennan on LinkedInCNBC on LinkedInCNBC WebsiteManifest Space with Morgan BrennanICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Introducing a new product into the extremely competitive snack market is not for the faint of heart. To succeed, you need more than a unique product; you need energy, creativity, and a bold approach. Today’s guest has all that in spades. We're sitting down with Jake Karls, who is the first to admit that he's a different kind of business leader, unapologetically authentic, refreshingly relatable, and completely free of bullshit. Jake is the Co-Founder and Chief Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares, the good-for-you chocolate brand that turned a kitchen table dream into a global household name.Mid-Day Squares is leading the disruption of an extremely competitive vertical with a winning team, innovative marketing and a fearless spirit. Jake is recognized as a rising star in the business world, was a finalist for Ian Wise Entrepreneur of the Year Award, was named to Forbes’ 30 under 30 List for food and beverage, and has featured as a regular contributor to media outlets across North America.Jake has also nicknamed the ICR conference The House of Capital, and we love him for that. He’s officially a “FOICR” which stands for Friend of ICR.Highlights:Jake discusses his path into the business sector (3:57)Jake and Tom talk about their favorite Shark Tank Shark (6:51)Jake talks about failure, finding work purpose, and skill sets (7:35)Finding your niche in a competitive market, and Mid-Day Squares' social media approach to branding, and (9:57)Building a brand with emotional connection, and modernized marketing (12:10)Mid-Day Squares' conception and the idea behind the product (14:15) Jake and the team's experience with manufacturing and building their own facility (16:12)Best-selling products (19:02)Mid-Day Squares' retail connections and their proudest deal (19:45)Refrigerated snacking, and how Mid-Day Squares target their audiences (21:00)How the team balances retail and direct channels (22:55)Goal and mission of Mid-Day Squares (24:00)Jake explains the complexity and challenges in the CPG (consumer packaged goods) industry (25:21)Jake gets honest about building your own business (26:35)Ideas for near-future product extensions at Mid-Day Squares (27:57)How much capital Mid-Day has raised for growth and development (29:13)Links:Jake Karls on LinkedInMid-Day Squares on LinkedInMid-Day Squares WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Big healthcare challenges demand cutting-edge healthcare products. Today's guest is building strategic partnerships to get ahead of disease and fuel the growth of their company. Today we're sitting down with Chris Hall, CEO and President of Personalis, which trades under the symbol PSNL. In his role, Chris drives the vision and strategy for the company, including commercializing its diagnostic product offerings. He brings over 20 years of experience in general management and product development within the diagnostics industry, most recently as CEO of Naring Health. Previously he served as President, COO, and Chief Commercial Officer of Veracyte Inc, where he led the company's commercial entry into endocrinology and pulmonology and scaled its operational groups. Chris also served as an SVP and Chief Business Officer at Berkeley HeartLab, part of Celera Corporation, where he helped new product launches, and restructured operations to improve profitability and streamline delivery of services.Chris holds a BA in political science from DePauw University and an MBA from Harvard.Highlights:Chris describes Personalis and their work (3:45)Personalis' MRD test and how it works (6:25)Chris walks us through Personalis' tech evolution (8:23)Personalis' current partnerships and collaborations (10:24)More about the internal team at Personalis (14:31)Chris discusses Personalis' recent Medicare coverage announcement (16:09) The current macro environment's effect on business (18:09)2023 highlights at Personalis (19:54)Near-future growth and development goals for Personalis (22:25)Leadership and company culture at Personalis (24:22)Product development and long-term objectives (26:19)Links:Chris Hall on LinkedInPersonalis on LinkedInPersonalis WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

There are some extraordinary opportunities for companies with the vision and commitment to get behind the energy transition, and today's guest works with one of them.We're sitting down with David Bandele, who has served as the CFO of Hexagon Composites since 2014. The company is headquartered in Norway and trades under the symbol H E X . O L. Their business is focused on carbon-negative, zero-emission energy solutions supported by world-class manufacturing and digitization.Before joining Hexagon, David held several senior positions in the field of finance and controlling with the Acre Group of Companies, GE Healthcare, and Amersham PLC. He holds a Bachelor of Economics from the University of Sheffield and is an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. Highlights:Introduction to Hexagon Composites and their background (3:24)Hexagon's target audience and reach (4:24)David describes his road to Hexagon (4:51)David breaks down the similarities and differences between natural gas, and renewable gas (6:03)Hexagon's growth and quick expansion (8:02)Hexagon's total addressable market and sustainability benefits (11:43) David walks us through Hexagon Agility's mobile pipeline (15:34)Mobile pipeline demand (17:17)David takes us through the roll out of Hexagon Digital Wave and developments in other Hexagon verticals (18:11)Hexagon's recent partnership with Compass Natural Gas (19:45)The projects of Hexagon Purus (20:45)Hexagon Ragasco and their current market outlook (22:26)David gives his outlook on the current environmental and sustainability efforts in business across North America (24:20)How Hexagon is continuing to innovate and win over shareholders for the long term (25:59)David gives us his predictions and goals for Hexagon's near future (28:42)Links:David Bandele on LinkedInHexagon Composites on LinkedInHexagon Composites WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

If you've been to space and back, you're bound to have an amazing perspective about your own capabilities, and what humans can achieve. Our guest today knows all about that.On this episode, we're sharing part two of Morgan Brennan's interview with Jared Isaacman, recorded in January at ICR's 26th annual conference in Orlando, Florida. If you didn't catch part one last week, we highly recommend you do. Jared is an extraordinary business leader and on top of his incredible career as founder of Shift4, and Draken International, he's an accomplished pilot and an astronaut.  Jared has made significant contributions to financial technology, defense, and aerospace industries.  He is the founder of both Shift4 and Draken International. Jared founded Shift4 in 1999 at 16 years old, and under his leadership as CEO, Shift4 has consistently pushed boundaries.  Today, Shift4 employs over 2,500 people and processes $250 billion in payments annually for more than 200,000 customers across the US and Europe.Apart from his extraordinary success with Shift4, in 2021 Jared made history by commanding Inspiration4, the world's first all-civilian mission to orbit. That mission raised over 250 million dollars for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. And later this year, he's going to return to space as commander of the Polaris Dawn mission.  This is the first of three space flights under the Polaris program, which is a partnership with SpaceX, and we'll hear all about those missions in this next part of the interview. We're delighted to have Morgan Brennan as the guest host for this interview. Morgan is the co-anchor of CNBC's Closing Bell Overtime. Over the last 10 years, she's held various on-air roles with CNBC and was previously co-anchor of Squawk on the Street and Squawk Alley.  Highlights:Jared talks about the differences between being a private and public company (4:37)Insight on new upcoming Shift4 projects (5:06)Jared tells us the best and worst parts of being in space (6:19)Common questions Jared gets about space (7:01)Jared gives us an inside look at the training process for astronauts leading up to launch (8:04)How seeing space has changed Jared's view of the world (9:57) Jared answers whether he ever felt nervous regret before a launch (13:18)How Jared talks to his family about space missions (15:50)Jared describes what it feels like to come back to Earth from space (16:53)How your height changes after going into space and coming back to Earth (18:42)More about SpaceX's new Starship project (20:23)Links:Morgan Brennan on LinkedInJared IsaacmanShift4 WebsiteDraken International on LinkedInICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.